Detecting rare conditions
The heel prick test is there to detect a number of rare conditions in your newborn baby. Finding and treating them in time prevents or limits very serious damage to the child's physical and mental development. Most of them cannot be cured, but they can be treated — with medication or a diet, for instance. Which conditions these are is listed on pns.nl (in Dutch).
Taking part is voluntary; the screener asks your permission just before the prick. The test can matter a great deal for your child's health, so we do encourage you to take part.
How it works
We register your baby, after which a specially trained screener from the maternity care service comes to your home. The heel prick is done from 72 hours after the birth and no later than 168 hours, so within the first week. The screener takes a few drops of blood from your baby's heel, collects them on a card and sends it to the laboratory. The prick takes a moment and most babies cry briefly. It helps to hold your baby close, or to feed during the prick.
The result
The result is known within five weeks. RIVM, the national institute for public health, sends you a letter either way, including when everything is fine. If something is found, your family doctor contacts you as soon as possible about the follow-up test. Sometimes the result is not clear straight away and the prick has to be done again; that result follows within two weeks.
The hearing test
The hearing test is usually done during the same visit.